Here's How To Create Tesla-Like Powerwall From Used Laptop Batteries

Solar energy and products such as Tesla’s solar roof tiles might have given homeowners the impetus to generate electricity, but the storage remains a huge concern. While the company’s Powerwall 2 unit has a 13.5 kilowatt-hours capacity, it costs $5,500 which puts it out of the reach of many potential customers.

Thankfully, there is an affordable solution in sight — how about an old laptop battery? Laptop batteries are mostly discarded when they have completed their life cycles or if the laptop doesn’t work anymore. Not only that, disposing of them is a hassle in itself, especially since they can carry the risk of exploding and injuring the user. Around 95 percent of batteries sold in the U.S. are never recycled and just thrown away according to Call2Recycle, a company specializing in recycling computer products.

Turns out they can actually be of use in creating your own Powerwall-like storage unit which can function at the same capacity as the Tesla product at a much more affordable price.

Simply, Tesla batteries, both those in its cars and its power storage units are made of specialized lithium ion batteries. Laptop batteries are made of the same material and since they store power for laptops for long, they are actually good power storage units. This capability of such batteries can be used in large-scale electricity storage — the only thing you need is the availability of a large number of such batteries and an electricity source, most probably a solar panel.

One YouTuber Joe Williams actually created a Powerwall like electricity storage unit from laptop batteries.

"The end result is being able to rely on something I not only built myself but understand the ins and outs of to power some or all of my electricity in my home. That is inspiring," he told Motherboard.

Such do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions can not only help users store electricity easily but also provide solutions to the problem of battery disposal.

DIY Powerwalls can really make a difference in the installation and use of solar panels. In grid-based infrastructure, storage of electricity is pointless, because you are basically getting electricity directly from the grid. But, it is essential in the case of solar electricity, since electricity generated by solar titles needs to be stored for usage.

There are many tutorials available on how to create one yourself and a whole forum called DIY Powerwalls dedicated to it.

This technique makes use of waste products. Alternatively, there are $5 laptop batteries available in the market, if you don’t have access to too many used batteries.

More importantly, it changes the dynamic of electric storage and generation. A user can install solar panels on his/her roof and then attach it to a DIY power storage system, which will potentially take care of his/her storage needs.

The concept has started taking off with many people trying to create their own Powerwalls. In case, you want to create your own, have a look at the video. We would advise you to be careful while handling such large amounts of electricity though. DIY solutions need to be implemented carefully so we would advise you to take precautions such as testing out the batteries before installations and ensuring that the wiring is proper.